I call it kind of brand loyalty. Here’s what I mean: whenever Kate Bush releases an album (and the good Lord knows she doesn’t do it often enough), I buy it. Just as I’ll read anything Mary Roach writes, if only in the hopes that her sense of humor will rub off on me; I always end up learning a whole heck of a lot, too. And, whenever I get wind that Kathy Hester has a new cookbook in the pipes, I get my virtual arse over to Amazon and pre-order it. It really doesn’t matter what the subject matter is – I know it’ll be more than good. Happily, Kathy has been steadily providing us hungry vegans with delicious, nutritious, easy, and comforting recipes and her latest book, Vegan Slow Cooking for Two (or Just for You)is another book for which to feel undying fealty. This one speaks especially to me since besides our furry friend, Ike, there are just two in my household. While leftovers are great, there are times you just want enough for one meal. And you want to put the ingredients in a slow cooker and let it do the work.

Spray your crock with oil to help with cleanup later or skip it and just plan on soaking your crock immediately afterward so any stuck-on oatmeal will come right off. Add everything except the topping ingredients to the slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix together the topping ingredients and store in the fridge until the morning. Cook the oatmeal on low for 7 to 9 hours.

In the morning

Stir your oatmeal well. It may seem watery on top, but if stirred, it should become a more uniform consistency. Top each serving with a few teaspoons of the baklava topping, making it as sweet as you like it.

Nope…uh, no, never made a cookie in a slow cooker. I have 4 kids so that just wasn’t an option across the years, even if I had had a marvelous recipe for one! lol The fighting over that one cookie would not be pretty in a family of sweet fanatics. Now that the empty nest is drawing closer, I will want to try it. 🙂

What is it with Kate Bush eh? My grouchy old curmugeon of a dad who didn’t like ANYTHING loved Kate Bush and asked my daughters to get him a C.D. of her greatest hits for Christmas! I might slowly be turning into a feminine version of my dad as I age and Cathy Hesters Vanilla Fig Oatmeal with Baklava Topping might just be my own personal “Kate Bush” moment! Gotta make this ASAP! Cheers for sharing Annie 🙂

I read this as “vanilla baked oatmeal with baked lava topping.” I thought, “Ooooo!!! What is ‘baked lava topping?!?'” ….ha, yay dyslexia! 🙂 I’m pretty sure baklava topping is far tastier anyway. 😉 PS I found this post especially delightful to read. Loved it when you said that part about “take a test drive–look under the hood.” 🙂 Nice!

I’ve always wanted to buy a slow cooker. And looking at Kathy’s books/recipes makes me want it more. We don’t get any here in India. 🙁 I wish we had special vessles which could be placed on gas stove tops and used as slow cookers.

Oh my gosh! This recipe combines EVERY one of my favorite flavors ( okay, except chocolate and coconut!:) I adore vanilla, figs and cinnamon, and have really been into oats lately. My mom and I are taking a trip tomorrow to the mountains and this will be the perfect breakfast to enjoy before we go!:)THANK YOU for the inspiration!!!